Cernak scored a goal on three shots, added five hits and blocked three shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.
Cernak ended an 11-game point drought with his second-period tally. The 27-year-old blueliner continues to fill a shutdown role on the second pairing, which has earned him a plus-2 rating, 11 shots on net, 13 hits and four blocked shots over four playoff outings. He had a career year with 21 points and a plus-29 rating over 76 regular-season appearances.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Set to return
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday versus Utah.
Cernak left Tuesday's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh due to the injury, but it seems he won't miss a full game. He has three goals, 20 points, 35 PIM and 148 hits across 65 outings in 2024-25.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Injured in Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Penguins.
Cernak was hurt in the first period, though he was able to pick up an assist prior to his exit. He also had two hits and two blocked shots. The Lightning dressed seven defensemen Tuesday, so if Cernak misses any time, Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix will be able to stay in the lineup and forward Mitchell Chaffee would probably check back in for Thursday's game against Utah.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Picks up assist in shootout loss
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Cernak notched an assist and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers.
Cernak set up a Zemgus Girgensons tally in the second period. The helper was Cernak's second over seven contests this month, following a February in which he had three goals and three assists over eight outings. The 27-year-old isn't going to turn into a big scoring threat from the blue line overnight, but he appears to be tapping into his offense a bit more in the second half of the campaign. He's matched his career high of 18 points as well as setting a new personal best with 15 assists through 59 outings. Cernak also has 53 shots on net, 129 hits, 87 blocked shots and a plus-24 rating this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Provides breathing room with goal
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Cernak scored a goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Flames.
Cernak had a somewhat surprising February with three goals and three assists over eight games. That makes it his most productive month of the campaign despite the limited number of contests. Overall, Cernak is at three goals, 13 assists, 47 shots on net, 117 hits, 72 blocked shots and a plus-25 rating through 52 appearances. He's two points away from matching his career-high 18 from the 2020-21 campaign, which came in a 46-game sample. Fantasy managers shouldn't roster Cernak for scoring potential -- it's his physicality and defense that appeal to those in deeper formats, though his playing style also comes with a high risk of injuries.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Ties career mark with three points
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Cernak scored a goal and added two assists in a 6-3 win over the Red Wings on Saturday.
Cernak waffled a shot from the point at 2:56 of the first, resulting in Alex Lyon getting the hook from the game -- the goalie had allowed two goals on just three shots. The three points tied Cernak's NHL career high for a single outing. "You don't see a lot of offense from me, so that was exciting," said Cernak after the game. "I just try to get the puck to our forwards and let them make magic." The 27-year-old stay-at-home defender has two goals and 15 points in 48 games this season. Both goals and three assists have come in Cernak's last four games. It's a nice run, but it's not sustainable enough to make him valuable in fantasy arenas.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Fills empty cage Thursday
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Cernak scored an empty-net goal on two shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.
Cernak netted his first goal of the season to end any threat of a Senators comeback. It was also the 100th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 412th contest. He has two points over his last three games, but the 27-year-old defenseman rarely puts up consistent offense. He's at 12 points, 41 shots on net, 100 hits, 64 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a plus-15 rating through 47 appearances.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Garners helper Saturday
Rotowire
Cernak notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.
Cernak earned his first point over four games since returning from an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old defenseman has been back in his usual second-pairing role, though his playing style rarely leads to much offense. He has 11 helpers, 38 shots on net, 96 hits, 62 blocked shots, 27 PIM and a plus-13 rating over 45 appearances this season. Staying healthy remains tricky for Cernak at times, but he's on pace to challenge his career high of 18 points from the 2020-21 campaign.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Good to go
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) will play against Detroit on Saturday, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.
Cernak will return to action following a four-game absence. He has generated 10 assists, 33 shots on goal, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits across 41 appearances this season. Cernak will replace Cam Atkinson in Saturday's lineup, as the Lightning will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Probable to play Saturday
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Detroit, according to Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.
During Saturday's media availability, coach Jon Cooper said that Cernak is "probable" to return from a four-game absence. The 27-year-old Cernak has 10 assists, 33 shots on goal, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits across 41 appearances this season. Max Crozier will probably be a healthy scratch versus the Red Wings if Cernak goes back into the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out Friday, considered day-to-day
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Friday versus the Blackhawks, but head coach Jon Cooper considers the defenseman day-to-day moving forward, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.
Cernak's absence Friday will be his fourth in a row. It's still possible he plays Saturday in Detroit. If he can't play in that contest, the Lightning return home for a rematch with the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out again Tuesday
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday versus the Canadiens, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.
Cernak will miss his third straight game, meaning Max Crozier will get another appearance. The next chance for Cernak to play is Friday in Chicago, which is the first half of a back-to-back to close out the Lightning's four-game road trip -- they're also in Detroit on Saturday.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not expected to play
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) didn't participate in the morning skate, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun, and isn't expected to play against Toronto on Monday.
Max Crozier replaced Cernak in the lineup for Saturday's 5-1 win over Detroit, and the Lightning recalled the 24-year-old Crozier from AHL Syracuse on Monday. Cernak is day-to-day and could play during Tampa Bay's four-game road trip, which continues in Montreal on Tuesday.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out of action Saturday
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) will be out of the lineup versus Detroit on Saturday, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.
Cernak was injured early in the first period against the Ducks on Thursday and did not return. He missed the morning skate Saturday and should be considered day-to-day at this time, ahead of the Lightning's four-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Anaheim. Cernak has 10 assists, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits over 41 contests this season. Look for Max Crozier to enter the lineup in place of Cernak.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Sustains undisclosed injury
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) exited Thursday's game versus the Ducks and won't return, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.
Cernak lasted just one shift into the contest before his departure. The Lightning have just six healthy defensemen on the roster, so if Cernak can't suit up Saturday versus the Red Wings, a roster move will likely be necessary.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Sends helper Thursday
Rotowire
Cernak logged an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Bruins.
Cernak has chipped in three helpers over his last eight games. He doesn't often get on the scoresheet, but he remains in a top-four role as a shutdown defender. For the season, Cernak is at 10 helpers, 30 shots on net, 85 hits, 50 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating across 37 appearances.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Plucks apple in loss
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Cernak notched an assist in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Sharks.
Cernak has two helpers, 10 hits and five blocked shots over his last four games. The 27-year-old set up Anthony Cirelli's second-period tally Thursday. Cernak doesn't add much on offense but plays a heavy physical game. He has nine points, all helpers, while adding 23 shots on net, 18 PIM, a plus-11 rating, 76 hits and 44 blocked shots through 33 appearances this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Provides helper in win
Rotowire
Cernak logged a shorthanded assist, three shots on goal, four hits and two PIM in Monday's 4-0 win over the Panthers.
Cernak set up Brandon Hagel's shorthanded empty-netter to close out the scoring in the third period. The helper was Cernak's second over seven outings in December -- he also missed two games due to a lower-body injury. The veteran defenseman has eight helpers, 23 shots on net, 70 hits, 40 blocked shots, 14 PIM and a plus-12 rating through 30 appearances. Injuries are often a concern since Cernak plays such a physically taxing style, but he's got an outside chance of matching his career high of 18 points from 2020-21 if he stays healthy.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Ready to return
Rotowire
Cernak (lower body) is good to play Saturday versus Seattle, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.
Cernak missed two games due to the injury. He's projected to play alongside Ryan McDonagh. Cernak's return coincides with J.J. Moser exiting the lineup due to an undisclosed injury. Victor Hedman (lower body) is also unavailable Saturday, so Cernak will likely get more ice time than his season average of 18:24.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Game-time call
Rotowire
Cernak (lower body) will be a game-time decision Saturday versus Seattle, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.
Cernak participated in Tampa Bay's optional morning skate, and head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful the 27-year-old defender will return from a two-game absence. He has collected seven assists, 17 shots on goal, 33 blocked shots and 48 hits through 25 appearances this season.
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